Bob Jones Band earns sweet rewards at Peach State Marching Festival

Bob Jones High School Marching Band rated sweet results at the 39th annual Peach State Marching Festival at Barron Stadium in Rome, Ga.

Bob Jones Band competed at the Peach State Marching Festival. (Photo courtesy Bob Jones Bands)

“Every unit in the band received a superior rating,” Bob Jones assistant director Leigh Thomas said. Bob Jones ranked in sixth place overall, “finishing barely behind the three bands in open class and the winners of the AAA and AAAA classes.”

Bob Jones Dance Team received the Best in Class award, given to the squad with the highest score in each class.

Among the 25 bands in competition on Oct. 27, Bob Jones marched in open class against high schools from Hoover, Lassiter, Ga. and Grenada, Miss., director Doyle Thornton said.

The competition show featured accomplished soloists, including Ryan LaGrone, trumpet, “Big Noise from Winnetka”; David Kidd, trombone, Daniel Unger, tenor saxophone and Raina Strickland, trumpet, “Somebody to Love”; and David Kidd, trombone and the percussion section, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

This year, the Patriots Band has two drum majors, 19 in dance team, 30 in color guard, 39 percussion and 130 instrumentalists.

“The band endured many hardships this year and worked very hard to receive straight superior ratings at every competition we attended,” Thomas said. Seventy-five percent of the band, color guard and dance team was new, along with freshman and sophomore rookie members.

“Of the 230 total members, 130 had never competed in a marching competition, let alone against some of the best bands in the state and the greater Southeastern area,” Thomas said. “Through hard work from the student leadership and veteran and rookie members, the band experienced much success.”

In other news, auditions for Bob Jones Indoor Drumline and Winterguard are scheduled in upcoming weeks. Both groups will compete on the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit against other schools in the Southeast. “We’re excited to get both the concert season and SCGC groups started soon,” Thornton said.

The Bob Jones Band Holiday Concert is scheduled for Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in Zompa Auditorium.